The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1887-12-29

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IN soon be we'll
w <NTcNnlX That on his cheek vii
NN3SEHN cease to burn
kM5NL/WGgr TIL fever-fires. The
%SN$AWM strangely tell
&tNANNNSyt His wasted strength vii
5kSffifve2 all return
WHINING In pastures gree
XlklsW where. undistressed
@lAkf He shall lie down t
-VNS- perfect rest:
And One will lead his tired feet .,.
Where now the cool ~life-giving springs,
And fresh the balmy airwill blow
With healing In its Heavenly wings;
The views OF Time, denied below
From heights exalted will be seen
Bathed in . never-fading sheen. ".'
How blurred mine eyes not to have known
The angel stamp upon his face
TIL now, nor caught o single ray
OF oil the light that filed the place
Wherein my patient darling layl
Flow dull mine ears not to have heard
Celestial tones in every word!
Already on his childish brow 4 a'.'
Shines forth the diadem OF gain.
But on my head the crown Of loss as
Strikes deep its cruel thorns of pain.
faint and sink beneath this cross,
And cry: 20 Saviour, Thou must give
Thy strength or else I can not livel'
/. How YEARLY the days go by T.
Now that this shadow, dark and chill,
Enshrouds my home forevermorel
Lonely the house and deathly still;
Through the closed shutters to the floor
Struggles the light, with ghostly glare,
As II some lifeless form were there.
And now my other children come,
With careful steps, subdued and slow,
And with pathetic interest
And eyes that often overflow,
Flushing their harmless sport and Jest,
They sit beside the sufferer,
And to his least wants minister.
Too weak to lie now in my arms,
Within his little bed he sleeps
In broken rest day after day, :
While ever near the shadow creeps,
And I can only watch and pray, ..,-
Sitting with clenched and idle bands,
Submissive to the dread demands.
How beautiful his face has grownl
The sanity wisdom OF the skies
Lfngers upon his infant tongue,
Z Alustrous glory fills his eyes.
oh. with what agony it wrung
My soul when first its awful light
Smote through the darkness on my sight!
!. The holy Christmas time draws near
Eraught with Its promises OF JOY.
One wish alone has power to thrill
The bosom OF my dying boy
II live till then-O God, fulfill
His piteous prayerl h willingly
& TIL give my angel back to Thee.
y, let me see the olden light
OF perfect Joy his face express
:. To hold in memory evermorel
Bonish the look OF WEAKNESS,
Tho eager, glad surprise restore.
One Joyous laugh, n shout OF glee,
Would I'LL my heart with ecstasy.
. he night moves onward toward the morn,
The shadows break and fee away,
And while the starry curtains part
Angels proclaim: IT'S Christmas Day.
From restless dreams OF pain I start
Aid hear the old hosannas roll
In waves OF peace across my soul
|. Th0s art not here, my gentle boy,
Yoi oh, what joys this hour ore thine!-
'The anchor of enduring hold,
TIL pearl Of wondrous price divine,
Tho Il neful harp Of precious gold,
The fruits from OF the healing tree,
The crown OF life e~ternally. ..
Around mo lie the paltry gifts
gathered for his longing hands
rho books, the toys, o hundred things
The loving heart alone commands;
Hut what are these frail offerings
Beside the largesa Heaven bestows
Amid the rapturous repose7
*Glory to God, good will and peacer
Apain that matchlesS anthem rolls.
One voice I know-thine, thine, my child,
Thu whelming storm OF grief controls.
Acalm succeeds the pillows wild r
And gives me also grace to say:
4 ssGlory to God +" this Christmas Day.
t - v@">& JULIA "a. THAYRR,